(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced a project to repair the Route 33 (Main Street) bridge over Peddie Lake/Rocky Brook in downtown Hightstown, Mercer County.

Beginning Thursday night, July 5, NJDOT’s contractor, Berto Construction Inc., is scheduled to set up the new construction zone on the southbound side of the bridge. To accommodate that work, NJDOT will close the existing southbound travel lane on Route 33 and shift two-way traffic onto the northbound side of the bridge. This new traffic pattern will result in the reduction of one northbound travel lane over the bridge.

• The current northbound travel lane will be used as the new southbound travel lane.
• The current northbound right turn lane will be used as a combination through and right-turn lane.
• The bridge will be closed to pedestrian traffic on the southbound side.

In connection with these lane shifts, NJDOT will restrict large trucks – more than 7 tons in weight - from traversing the bridge during construction. Local delivery trucks weighing more than 7 tons will have access into Hightstown to make deliveries, but will not be allowed to cross the bridge.

Ample signage has been installed throughout the area to alert truck drivers of the weight restriction and corresponding detour routes.

The existing bridge was damaged during Hurricane Irene in September 2011. During that flood event, the water level overtopped the Peddie Lake dam causing severe damage to the bridge parapet walls on both sides of the bridge. The Department immediately installed temporary median barrier along the parapets and sidewalks to protect vehicles and pedestrians until permanent repairs could be made.

The approximately $655,000 project will fully replace the damaged sidewalks and parapets on both sides of the bridge including new bridge rails. The parapet and pedestrian safety rails adjacent to the Hightstown Engine Co. #1 Fire House will also be repaired. The new bridge parapets will be constructed of stone facing similar in color, size and texture to the existing stone.

Roadway drainage pipes and outlets pipes in the vicinity of the bridge will be replaced. Route 33 will be repaved and restriped between Stockton Street and Franklin Street on either side of the bridge and the signage and pedestrian cross walks will be replaced as needed within the project limits.

Approximately 16,000 vehicles use this bridge every day through the heart of Hightstown. NJDOT has scheduled the construction in stages so that one travel lane on Route 33 in both directions will remain open to passenger vehicle traffic at all times. Dynamic message signs will notify motorists of upcoming traffic pattern changes. NJDOT anticipates the project being completed in fall 2012.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org real-time travel information.